The Right Thing, The Wrong Way – John 6:22-29

The Right Thing, The Wrong Way – John 6:22-29 "On the following day when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone--however, other boats came from Tiberias,

The Right Thing, The Wrong Way – John 6:22-29 near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks--when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus." And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" Jesus answered them and said,

The Right Thing, The Wrong Way – John 6:22-29 "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." Sometimes we can do the right thing but we do it in the wrong way. 1. Searching for God Can be Hypocritical

The Right Thing, The Wrong Way – John 6:22-29 "This group expended so much Physical Energy in seeking God but for the wrong reasons The crowd wanted another free meal Verse 66: "From that time, "many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more." They were seeking Jesus to have their needs met

The Right Thing, The Wrong Way – John 6:22-29  "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled."

The Right Thing, The Wrong Way – John 6:22-29   James Montgomery Boice I am convinced that in our day in American Christianity there is a lamentable tendency to focus on human need rather than on God Himself. I'm equally convinced that this is the worst possible way to actually have your needs met and to achieve a healthy Christianity.  

A Survey of Church Goers in America 19% religiously committed. 22% are modestly religious 29% are barely or nominally As a total package of your life, are you seeking the Lord? Are you seeking God because He's so worthy or are you seeking God because you're so hungry?  

A Survey of Church Goers in America The crowd failed to focus on the Lord Himself   Why are you seeking the Lord? Because He is worthy? Or because you are hungry?

2. Living for Self Will be Detrimental (v. 27) Jesus continues: "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

2. Living for Self Will be Detrimental (v. 27) Don’t Aim Below! Do aim above Don't make life about physical satisfaction Spiritual needs should be paramount Verse 35: "Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life." "He who comes to Me shall never hunger”. “And he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

2. Living for Self Will be Detrimental (v. 27) Jesus emphasizes the spiritual life above the physical life   Jesus is the Bread of life – John 6:35 Jesus gives Living Water – John 4:10

2. Living for Self Will be Detrimental (v. 27) Jesus cares about your physical need, but your spiritual need is more important –  

2. Living for Self Will be Detrimental (v. 27) Do you have a spiritual hunger? Sermon on the Mount Jesus said blessed, or oh how happy, are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. The best way to get your needs met is not by seeking God in order to get them met, it’s by seeking God period.

2. Living for Self Will be Detrimental (v. 27) C.S. Lewis If you aim at heaven, you'll have earth thrown in; if you aim at earth, you'll get neither heaven nor earth.

3. Believing in Jesus Must be Foundational (vv. 28-29)   "Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent." Don’t focus on the physical as much as focus on the spiritual life.

3. Believing in Jesus Must be Foundational (vv. 28-29)  Romans 10:2-4 I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God but it's not according to knowledge. For they don't understand God's way of making people right with Himself. Instead, they're clinging to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the Law. They won't go along with God's way.

3. Believing in Jesus Must be Foundational (vv. 28-29)  All their lives, the disciples were taught to work for it They didn't understand God's way   God's way is Believe

3. Believing in Jesus Must be Foundational (vv. 28-29)  Believe is used 241 times in the Bible, 107 times by John, 98 of those in the Gospel of John Everlasting life is a gift

3. Believing in Jesus Must be Foundational (vv. 28-29)  Vs. 27 “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father set His seal on Him.”

3. Believing in Jesus Must be Foundational (vv. 28-29)   Only two religions exist in the world The Religion of Human Achievement –salvation by works Divine Accomplishment-salvation by works-His finished work on the cross

3. Believing in Jesus Must be Foundational (vv. 28-29)   Believe in Jesus and His finished work Believe - lean on, trust in, lay your whole destiny on "Jesus said, "This is the work that God asks of you, that you believe in the One whom He has sent, that you cleave to, that you trust in, that you rely on, and have faith in His messenger."

Jesus confronts the crowd with three things   1. He dealt with the wrong motivation You’re seeking God but you're really seeking God because you're seeking God to do something for you 2. He dealt with the right ambition Spiritual things must come first--not secondary--first. Seek first the kingdom.

Jesus confronts the crowd with three things   3. He dealt with the right decision The real decision and that is belief in Jesus, His finished work.   What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?